Smoke, Fire, and Death in the Valley of the Moon
Although our air quality rests today at a cool 64 in the particulates department, registering a "Moderate" rating from airnow.gov, the Zaca Fire continues at our back door, having burned over 215,000 acres (nearly 1,000 of them in the last 12 hours alone) with over 3,000 firefighters working on it and at a price tag of over $87 Million. All that, and it's 77% contained.
There are many sources for updated fire info, including the free-standing kiosks that the County Fire Department has set up throughout the valley, mostly at grocery stores and gas stations. Online, your best bet is the Ojai Post's Zaca Fire Information & Resource Page, which features websites and phone numbers of all the relevant organizations, including the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, National Forest information center, road conditions, weather, media, and evacuation information.
Also, check out the Ojai Post main page for daily updates and community-driven breaking news and information! Check out this morning's thread for the most current info and comments as of this writing.
In the "The Story Everyone Knows About But Nobody Knows" Department, the Ojai Valley News is reporting that Victor Keith Stolz, 46, was found dead last Thursday the 16th in front of Ojai's public library. An autopsy has been performed, but the cause of death is being withheld pending further investigation. A commenter on the Ojai Post suggested that the man was beaten to death, but that is unconfirmed.
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Comments (5)
THE DC-10 is the "SILVER BULLET" that will TURN THIS FIRE AROUND if used on a CONTINUOUS basis (approx. once an hour, 7 hours a day).I was glad to see the report that: The DC-10 has flown every day "for the past few days". Forest Service Air Operations gives it high praise, but warns that it is not a "silver bullet",...However, I certainly disagree with the last part of this obfuscating statement designed to downplay the effectiveness of the DC-10 as it's obvious that the DC-10 IS a "silver bullet" in every sense of the phrase as it will surround and STOP the fire if used CONTINUOUSLY approx. 7 hours a day instead of "every day for the past few days" as the report says. The DC-10 or a Supertanker like it could have stopped this fire in one day if used in the begining and can still do it now if used aggressivly instead of relying on antiquated equipment and techniques as the U.S.Forest Service is now doing and has done for over 12 years. Let's call our public leaders and demand the DC-10 be used continuously! (see: www.JBS.org (search: wildfire),about Forest Service mismanagement. -Ed Nemechek -760-246-8059
Comment #1 Posted by: Ed Nemechek | August 21, 2007 12:02 PM
Okay, Ed, you've repeated yourself one too many times and worn out your welcome.
Comment #2 Posted by: OMG | August 21, 2007 12:05 PM
Wait, I don't agree! Something this important to new readers should not be buried in the bowls of the Post!
Comment #3 Posted by: Suza | August 21, 2007 12:26 PM
Well, if not in the bowls, where do you suggest? maybe among the plates? or perhaps with the cups and saucers?
Comment #4 Posted by: david | August 21, 2007 01:10 PM
So she dropped the e, bowels. Though it's not grenades or horse-shoes being played here, close enough for me to get her points. I try to spell correctly for everyone but I munage tu git et rong sum timz.
Comment #5 Posted by: Dana and Alyeska | August 21, 2007 01:29 PM